Our Fiat Punto

Yes 2004 model bought in 2015 at 11,000 miles I think from a deceased estate for £500. It was not unmarked when purchased but we have managed to bash every panel apart from the roof and underside, sometimes twice. Think it's on its third passenger door!

But it keeps on going....

You're right. No reason why the mechanicals should fail just because the body has been abused.

It is far better on the country roads in Cumbria than the Merc. The only thing I miss is the sheer power of being able to overtake without thinking in my car.

But anticipation is the fun of driving!

I've had 3 Fiat cars over the years; the first was a Uno 70s back in the day.. In many ways an excellent little car, with extremely good packaging, but let down by tin worm and minor build quality issues (though the band's holding the petrol tank also rusted through, which was hardly minor!)

The second was bought when the motor home size, growing with the kids, dictated that it wasn't ideal as SWMBO's everyday vehicle, albeit she wasn't working then. A Mk1 Punto 55s 3 door, bought at rock bottom price new but pre-reg. All in all, the best of the three. Styling worked; I think by then they were galvanised, and all in all an excellent and cheap little car.

It was replaced about 5 years later by a Mk2 Punto 60s, again new but pre-registered (I found out it was actually registered on the morning I picked it up) and again rock-bottom price. It was probably a better car than the Mk1, but lacked some of the character.

I have, of course, had a good few Fiat Ducato based vehicles ;-) (seven in fact)

Our second car is a FIAT Seicento. My wife wanted a small car and decided she'd have one like her boss at the time. We got it in 2002 (pre-reg) on a 51 plate. Apart from some minor things like earthing problem stopping it starting, needing some new batteries, etc. It's been reliable in all this time.

Couldn't say exact mileage but it's over 30k miles now. For a fair few years the odometer was not working so it passed 3 or 4 MOTs with the same mileage :-)

I remember getting a Focus as a renter when they first replaced the Escort and thinking how advanced it was when compared to its predessor. Good wee cars, although I suppose you'd have to be sure it hadn't got any major rust problems.

Punto was attacked last weekend by a pretty young girl in her Clio. Just passed her test and she stoved in the passenger door.

Luckily, her family knows ours so it's being sorted without recourse to the insurance as I don't want the Punto writing off.

Found a door in the right colour for £30 and the place will fit it. Worked out this is the fifth passenger door for this car ...

Still drives well and has not yet reached 30,000 miles at 15 years old.